KGIS Weekly Newsletter 9th May 2024

THE KNOWLEDGE

A Message from the Executive Principal

Once again we enjoyed another busy week at KGIS! The highlight was undoubtedly our Community Fair, which took place on Monday after being rescheduled twice due to rain! Thank you to Ms Katie and Ms Naveen for their organisation of the event and their perseverance in ensuring that the fair went ahead despite the setbacks. KGIS is a school that sits at the heart of the local community, and it is always a pleasure to welcome so many friends and family into the school to enjoy an evening together. We also welcomed many members of the wider community to the fair, and this provided the perfect opportunity for them to see what a vibrant and welcoming place KGIS is! Thank you to everyone who supported this event All the proceeds are donated to our charitable causes as part of the 'KGIS Year of Giving'

Next week we welcome Stu Williamson photographers from the UAE to KGIS in order to take student and class photos. All details can be found in my letter sent earlier this week. We ask for support from all parents in ensuring that their children attend school wearing full and correct uniform in preparation for their photo. This should include the school polo shirt (no PE kit on photo day please), plain navy school trousers or tartan dress/skirt, and plain black school shoes As an alternative to the school uniform students may choose to wear Omani national dress for their photograph We look forward to seeing all students smart and ready for their photos next week!

Finally, as IGCSE and A Level written examinations started this week I would like to take the opportunity to wish all of our Grade 10 and 12 students the very best of luck I know that each and every one of our students has worked hard to reach this point in their educational journey and that they will do us proud!

Wishing you all a restful weekend!

Ms Liz Stanley Executive Principal

Key Dates

Please make a note of the following important dates:

Monday 13 May-Thursday 16 May: Class and Student Photos

Wednesday 15 May: KGIS Mother & Baby Group (1:30pm)

Wednesday 15 May-Thursday 16 May: KG1 and KG2 Splash Days

Thursday 23 May: Grade 12 Graduation Ceremony

Sunday 26 May: 'KGIS Has Talent' competition

Sunday 26 May: LAMDA Drama Performance Evening

Sunday 2 June-Monday 3 June: KG1 and KG2 Parent Consultation Meetings

Tuesday 4 June: KG2 Graduation Ceremony

Tuesday 4 June: Grade 5 Graduation Ceremony

Tuesday 4 June: KGIS Student Awards Ceremony

Thursday 13 June: Last day of Term 3

Please click here to access the Academic Calendar for this academic year

Clickonthelinksbelowtoaccessthelearningoverview,homelearningexpectationsand assessmentdatesforeachgrade:

Extra-Curricular Activities

Click here to access the Extra-Curricular Timetable for this term

Extra-Curricular Activities

A reminder that our programme of extra-curricular activities has now started for all students. We have a huge variety of activities on offer before school, at lunch times and after school. There really is something for everyone! All activities are free of charge and students are encouraged to join as many as possible in order to broaden their skills. Please click on the link above to see the timetable of activities.

U9 Girls and U9 Boys T Ball Tournament at Cheltenham Muscat

Our U9 Girls and Boys T-Ball teams competed in the Muscat Primary Schools League tournaments this week. The Girls clinched an impressive 3rd place, showcasing remarkable teamwork and impeccable fielding skills. Meanwhile, the Boys, although finishing in 5th place, demonstrated commendable determination and resilience throughout the tournament. Despite differing standings, both teams embodied the values of sportsmanship and dedication Congratulations to our U9 T-Ball teams for their outstanding efforts!

BSME Swimming Championships

Today is an exciting day for the KGIS Swim Squad as they compete in the BSME Swimming Championships. With determination and teamwork, our swimmers are ready to show what they've got against the other top British Schools of the Middle East!

We want to wish our squad good luck and let them know we're cheering them on. No matter what happens, we're proud of their hard work and sportsmanship. Go KGIS! We will announce results in the newsletter next week.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Click here to access the Extra-Curricular Timetable for this term

KGIS Community Fair

This week we welcomed families and friends to our second Community Fair of the year. It was fantastic to see so many members of our community enjoying the games, henna, bouncy castle, pony rides, karaoke and more! A great evening was had by all and most importantly we raised over OMR 500 for our 'KGIS Year of Giving'. All the proceeds from the Community Fair go in support of our mosque building project in Senegal. Thank you to everyone who came along to support us!

Extra-Curricular Activities

Click here to access the Extra-Curricular Timetable for this term

Inspired Forte Music Programme

We are very excited to remind parents of this unique opportunity available for students who learn a musical instrument! This opportunity is only available to students in Inspired schools, and offers a series of private instrument lessons with a tutor from the Royal College of Music in London - the world’s number one music conservatory.

In partnership with The Royal College of Music in London, Forte has launched the Pathways to Performance programme exclusively for Inspired students. The programme offers a package of private lessons with otherwise inaccessible top music tutors, verified by The Royal College of Music, the world’s #1 ranked music conservatory. Every private tutor currently teaches at or has received music education training at The Royal College of Music, so they are not just excellent Royal College of Music musicians, but they have also been trained by the best in music teaching practice.

The programme caters to students at senior school level who desire to achieve advanced levels in their instrumental abilities and to those preparing for auditions or public performances. Upon completion, students will have the chance to get certificates of attendance issued from The Royal College of Music, further reflecting their hard work.

Further information can be found: https://fortelessons.com/inspired . The following video also offers more insight into the programme: Click here for video

Extra-Curricular Activities

Click here to access the Extra-Curricular Timetable for this term

Inspired Summer Camps

Secure your spot at one of the Inspired Global Camps this summer!

Watch our YouTube video here!

As we approach the summer months, we wanted to inform you that some limited spaces are left in our phenomenal global summer camps, which are experiencing high demand. Last year, we had amazing feedback from Inspired families, who decided to enrol their children, so we wanted to offer the remaining spaces to you first!

If you are keen for your child to join this July or August, we encourage you to secure your child's spot as soon as possible.

Whether your child thrives in academic pursuits, enjoys sports, or loves expressing themselves through the arts, we have something for everyone.

Even though spaces are limited, we continue to offer our exclusive Inspired 10% discount, applicable to each camp booking This is an opportunity not to be missed!

To secure your child's place simply visit our website or contact use the contact form to ask a question directly. We can't wait to welcome your child to a summer full of fun, learning, and unforgettable memories.

KG Update

Every day in KG we place huge emphasis on developing the children’s fine motor skills and this week has been no different! These skills are developed through carefully planned provocations and enhancements within the children’s learning environments. Activities such as playdough-rolling, pinching and squeezing help to develop the children’s strength and dexterity in their hands and fingers. In turn, this enables the children to improve their pencil grip, eventually they will use a tripod grip with increasing control. Here are some examples of the impact that fine motor activities have on mark making where you can compare ‘Draw a Person’ from September 2023 with the most recent ‘Draw a Person’ in April 2024.

A Message from Mr. Ian, Head of Primary

Primary News

As the weather heats up this week it is important to remember to have your child prepared for the heat especially when sending them to school.

Stay Hydrated: Encourage children to drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if they're not feeling thirsty. Avoid sugary drinks and energy drinks, as they can contribute to dehydration. We ask that all children bring their water bottle to school. There are water coolers in the classrooms for children to refill their bottles.

Dress Appropriately: Please send your children to school with a hat and sunglasses to provide additional protection from the sun. KGIS sun hats are available in our Uniform Shop.

Apply Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF to protect children's skin from harmful UV rays Teach children to reapply sunscreen every few hours, especially if they're swimming or sweating

Use the Shade: Remind your children to stay in shaded areas to cool down and rest during breaks. All of our outdoor play areas are fully shaded

Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion: Teach children the signs of heat-related illnesses, such as dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and headache. If they experience any symptoms, remind them to tell an adult, the nurse or their teacher.

Use Cooling Measures: Utilise fans to help lower children's body temperature during particularly hot days. Children are permitted to bring fans to school should they wish. Our school air conditioning systems are continuously sanitised and serviced by our two full time AC technicians to ensure that they are working well at all times

Stay Informed: Keep an eye on weather forecasts and heat advisories. Adjust outdoor plans accordingly to ensure the safety of children The school operates indoor breaks during the hottest times of the year

Lead by Example: Remember to practise sun safety and hydration yourself, as children often learn best by observing the behaviour of adults around them!

Grades 1 & 2

In Grade 1 we enjoyed reading the story 'Where the Wild Things Are'. We have done lots of activities relating to this story over our last four weeks of learning. The children made masks and wrote character descriptions. This week we acted out the end of the story using our masks. The children then wrote the end of the story. They also enjoyed making crowns to be ‘the King of the Wild Things’! In art we designed our own Wild Thing and made a large picture of them.

Primary News

Grade 2 are busy continuing their coding and learning how to navigate mazes using 2Go software Learning the time on the hour and half hour, using different manipulatives to work between analogue and digital time displays, then making their own clock ready to tell time in quarter hours and 5 minutes

Primary News

Grades 3 to 5

In Grade 4 Science lessons we try to be as practical as possible and ensure the children get hands-on experiences Last week we completed our topic on electricity and had lots of fun making circuits whilst trying to make a bulb shine as brightly as possible by adding or removing cells in the circuit We also used buzzers and looked at switches and their uses.

Our practical learning doesn’t stop when we leave the classroom! We also visited Snow Oman and met Amir, one of their resident King Penguins. The children received a workshop to help them understand aspects of Arctic life for penguins and what is needed for their survival. This links seamlessly with our new unit, 'Animals including Humans: Life processes and Ecosystems'. In addition to learning about this unique ecosystem, the children had great fun throwing snowballs at their teachers and daring them to go and try all the rides!

Message from Mr. James, Head of Secondary

Secondary News

I would like to extend my appreciation to all the parents who attended our Grade 6 to 9 Parent Consultation Evening. Your presence greatly contributed to the success of the event, and it was great to see strong parental involvement in your child's education Your active participation demonstrated your dedication to supporting your child's growth, both academically and personally, and underscored the importance of collaboration between parents, teachers, and students. Your support enriches the academic experience for your child and contributes significantly to their overall development. As we continue to work together, I am confident that our collective efforts will empower each child to realise their full potential.

As you are aware, we have high expectations with regards to students' uniforms and I would request you instruct your child to wear the correct uniform next week, particularly for their class photos All students should have the correct school shirt, correct trousers and plain black shoes. No hoodies are to be worn under any circumstances. We will be doing spot-checks each morning to ensure students’ uniform is up to our expectations so we would appreciate your support. Ms. Liz has sent out a letter with the schedule for the class photos and I would ask you to refer to this.

The schedule for our internal Grade 6 to 11 end of year exams has now been sent out to parents and posted to students’ Google Classrooms. If you have any questions regarding specific subjects, please contact the subject teacher. As Mr. Tom has previously explained, students may go home after their exam is finished, although we recommend that students stay in school to complete their revision. As such, students who do remain in school will be supervised and will have the opportunity to revise with their subject teachers At this point, it is important to note that these exams are just one aspect of your child’s learning experience and journey. Grades will not define students or their future. Nonetheless, I would like to wish all students the very best of luck as they prepare for these assessments. If you have any general queries, please feel free to contact Mr. James (james.o@kgis-edu.com) or Mr. Tom (tom.b@kgis-edu.com).

Finally, it was fantastic to see the whole school community come together once again as part of the 'KGIS Year of Giving' to enjoy the Community Fair on Monday. Giving back to the community and the less fortunate is always important to us at KGIS. Students and parents enjoyed carnival games, bouncing castles and perhaps the highlight was some questionable performances on the karaoke machine! Great fun was had by all but most importantly, all monies raised will go to the mosque building project in Senegal. Every contribution, whether through participation or donation, played a vital role in advancing this very worthwhile cause. Events like these are nothing without the support of parents and students and I would like to express my gratitude to you for your continued support for our charitable causes and the 'KGIS Year of Giving'.

Subject Spotlight: Humanities & Social Sciences

Secondary News

Grade 9 Psychology students have embarked on a new unit focusing on Social Influence, with a particular emphasis on Milgram's 1968 shock experiment into obedience Understanding this experiment is crucial for their upcoming exam. To facilitate their learning, students are adopting a hands-on, kinaesthetic approach. They are actively engaging in recreating the experiment, which involves role-playing various scenarios to simulate the conditions and dynamics observed in Milgram's study. This hands-on activity aims to enhance their understanding of the experiment's methodology, outcomes, and ethical considerations. By actively participating in this experiential learning process, students are better positioned to retain key concepts and insights, thus preparing them more effectively for their exams.

Revision has taken centre stage for our Grade 11 Psychology students this week as they gear up for their final A Level exam. With the exam date drawing nearer, students have been diligently reviewing their course materials and honing their understanding of key concepts. A crucial aspect of their revision strategy involves analysing feedback from mock exams and carefully studying examiner reports. By delving into these resources, students gain valuable insights into their strengths and areas for improvement, allowing them to tailor their revision efforts accordingly This analytical approach not only helps students identify recurring patterns or common pitfalls but also empowers them to refine their exam technique and boost their overall performance.

Grade 6 and 7 Humanities students have been using technology including Quizlet and Blooket to aid them in their revision for their final exams Quizlet provides them with a dynamic platform to create digital flashcards, practice quizzes, and interactive learning games, enabling them to reinforce key concepts and vocabulary in an engaging manner. Meanwhile, Blooket offers a gamified approach to revision, incorporating elements of competition and collaboration to keep students motivated and focused. By incorporating these digital resources into their study routine, students can access a variety of study materials anytime, anywhere, catering to different learning styles and preferences This integration of technology not only makes revision more accessible and convenient but also injects an element of fun and interactivity into the learning process, ultimately facilitating deeper understanding and retention of course material

Secondary News

We are proud to partner with Azima Catering to offer healthy, nutritious meals for all students. Please contact Ms. Amira at admissions@kgis-edu.com for any queries or requests relating to catering.

Click here to see this week's menu

School Catering Contact the School

For General Enquiries please contact the School Reception:

E: reception@kgis-edu.com T: 2407 3500 / 2407 3501

For academic or pastoral concerns and questions, please contact your child's Homeroom Teacher in the first instance via email

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is situated at the Main Reception and is open Sunday to Thursday from 8:00am-3:30pm

Finance Office

The Finance Office is situated at the Main Reception and is open Sunday to Thursday from 8:00am-3:30pm

E: finance@kgis-edu.com T: 2407 3517

Admissions

The Admissions Office is open Sunday to Thursday from 8:00am-4:00pm

To see school fees and Admissions information please click here

E: admissions@kgis-edu com T: 2407 3504 www.kgis.edu.om